Camera Types
Safety cameras in Strathclyde fall into three categories, speed enforcement, red light enforcement and a combination of both. The Partnership services 130 camera sites throughout the West of Scotland area. Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership operates five types of camera systems:
Gatso cameras in clearly marked boxes at the roadside.
LTI 20.20 cameras using laser and video technology. These are deployed in clearly marked vans. A camera operator observes passing traffic and if he or she considers that a particular vehicle is speeding they will target the vehicle with the laser device and confirm the vehicle's speed. This operation is recorded on a DVD which evidences the offence.
SPECS camera system based on distance travelled over time. There is one permanent average speed system in operation in the West of Scotland - on the A77 in South Ayrshire. These systems have also been used as a temporary speed enforcement measure at major roadworks - see section on Roadworks for information on any temporary systems that may be in force.
There are two types of Red Light Enforcement cameras used by Strathclyde Safety Camera Partnership.
- Gatso cameras. These are the original safety cameras which use 35mm film technology to record offences.
- RedSpeed digital cameras. This new technology is being brought in to replace the ageing film-based camera stock. These cameras have the capability of detecting speeding offences as well as red light violations, an important development for road safety in deterring drivers from ‘racing the lights’.
RedSpeed digital cameras. Installation commencing end of 2009. This new digital technology is being brought in to replace the ageing film-based camera stock and has the added capability of enforcing speeding as well as red light violations. They are all at locations where film cameras were used previously to enforce traffic signals compliance.
They operate in the same manner as film cameras during the red phase but can also be used to detect speeding vehicles during the green and amber phases. This is an important development for road safety in deterring drivers from ’racing the lights’.